During my devotions this morning I was reminded again of my littleness in character and greatness in God’s eyes. I was also reaffirmed in my calling and command to fearlessly walk in it. As I was reading the words of Isaiah as he spoke to Israel and the nations, of how before things came to pass God proclaimed them. He says there is no other God besides Me, a just God and a Savior; look to Me and be saved, all you ends of the earth!

…and of the trials and difficulties I find myself in He says, Behold, I have refined you,…I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, I will do it; for how (why) should my name be profaned? I do profane His name in thought and action, daily. I wrote to a group this morning (we should all have such a group) that in my littleness He still loves me, that truly His mercies are new every morning. Confession, right seeing is important!

Leonard Ravenhill, when reflecting on his personal walk, makes a startling statement. “I cannot think of John Wesley, or, Stephen Grellet (I had to look him up too) , or many of the old soul-winners and prayer warriors being ashamed at Christ’s appearing, but I am not so sure about myself on that day.” Then he asks, How about you? He is speaking about judgment, about the judgment seat of Christ. Do you as a Christian know you will stand in front of Jesus at this throne?

I would venture to say that this subject is taboo in most churches of today, especially the American church. If it is spoken about it is most likely rushed through as unimportant because “you’re going to heaven with daisies and Jesus, hallelujah!” Oh church, oh Christian, let us repent of our lukewarmness lest we be spit out of the Lord’s mouth!

Ravenhill goes on to talk about the flabby believeism of this hour, that it seems to me that we are advertising and advocating a christianity that has the color but not the character of the real thing…that anything in the spiritual life that savors of discipline…is termed legalism and despised. Sadly, salvation today is being peddled as a social, even financial, advantage. Fox news offers it to all who bow at their altar. CNN is clumsily busy trying to embrace it as a kumbaya panacea. The American church teaches it as your ticket to eternity and comfort, no need for discipline or true repentance.

CH Dobbs translates I Cor 4:19~23 this way; “I think God has exhibited us apostles as the lowest of the low – like gallows birds; for we have become a spectacle to the universe, both angels and men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, while you are most prudent Christians; we are feeble while you are strong; we are in disgrace while you are honored. To this very moment we are starving, thirsty, ragged, battered tramps; we are the dregs and scum of society.” Who are we in this scripture? Where is your church?

I am a rebel, have always been a rebel, I continue to sin. When the day comes for me to stand before the judgment seat of Christ, I side with Ravenhill when he says, I am not so sure about myself on that day…not about my salvation but about what I did with my talents. Did I bury them or did they double, triple? Did I use them? How did I?

We who call ourselves Christians, are in a battle, a war, that requires discipline, temperance, self-control (whatever translation you choose); we are soldiers, and if soldiers it requires repentance, submission and boldness to stand. My rebellion, my sin has been forgiven. I am a dreg and scum of society; at times it seems of the church. I shall continue to proclaim the gospel, to edify and exhort those in and out of the church, to be a spectacle for the Lord. Forgive me when I do it imperfectly, forgive me if I offend you but listen; the bible is clear as to who will or will not enter into eternal life.

The Christian life requires discipline, sacrifice, honesty in our personal walk and in the church. Just as the word of God tells us of joy unspeakable it clearly exhorts us about obedience, constant self-examination and what earns one condemnation: believer and unbeliever alike. My fellow laborers continue to exhort me, the church, pastors and your fellow laborers of the things of the Lord. We need it. Forbear when needed, forgive always; be disciplined, become a dreg, a scum of society; even of the church.

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